Interlock switch mechanism for a solution handling apparatus



y 1966 H. o. STOEVER ETAL 3,260,311

INTERLOCK SWITCH MECHANISM FOR A SOLUTION HANDLING APPARATUS Filed D60.11, 1963 FIG. 1 X 7 2 Sheets-Sh et 1 FIG. 2

HANS O. STOEVER GEORGE S. JONES INVENTO S ATTORNEYS y 1966 H. o. STOEVERETAL 3,260,811

INTERLOCK SWITCH MECHANISM FOR A SOLUTION HANDLING APPARATUS Filed Dec.11, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 HANS O. STOEVER GEORGE S. JONES INVENTORS Y BG m 5 m WR OT R P G M D] M Em mm P FH IN N C S U TE O P M P E E H E 5FIG. 5

ATTORNEYS United States Patent 3 260,811 INTERLOCK SWITCH MECHANISM FORA SOLUTION HANDLING APPARATUS Hans O. Stoever, Rush, and George S.Jones, Webster,

N.Y., assignors to Eastman Kodak Company, Rochester, N.Y., a corporationof New Jersey Filed Dec. 11, 1963, Ser. No. 329,764 3 Claims. (Cl.ZOO-61.41)

This invention relates generally to solution handling apparatus, andmore specifically to a solution handling apparatus having an interlockswitch mechanism incorporated therein so that the apparatus will operateonly when the working components thereof are in their proper operatingpositions.

Solution handling apparatus such as photographic processing andimage-transfer copying devices are well known in the art. In suchcopying devices a sensitized photographic sheet or matrix is exposed inan exposing mechanism', the exposed sheet is then processed in asuitable liquid, and the processed sheet is pressed into intimatecontact with a non-sensitized copy sheet to cause transfer of an imagefrom the photographic sheet to the copy sheet upon separation of thesheets. A copying device of this type is specifically disclosed in US.Patent No. 2,666,384. The more recent models of such devices each haveincorporated therein an exposing mechanism, a powerdriven copy sheetfeeding mechanism, a processing tray, a removable solution container, amovable probe for hydraulically connecting and disconnecting thecontainer to and from the tray, and a pump for recirculating theprocessing solution between the container and tray. One of thedisadvantages of prior devices incorporating a solution container of theremovable type and/ or a movable probe is that it is possible to operatethe device with the solution container and/or probe absent from theirproper operating positions. Inadvertent operation of the device with thecontainer and/ or probe removed may result in the spoilage of severalmatrices and copy sheets before the operator realizes that there is nosolution in the processing tray. This disadvantage is obviated by apreferred form of applicants invention, wherein an interlock switchmechanism disconnects the power supply to the device if the solutioncontainer and/or probe are not in their proper operating positions.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide asolution handling apparatus having an interlock switch mechanism forassuring that the power supply is connected to the apparatus only whenworking components thereof are in their proper operating positions.

A more specific object of the invention is to provide a solutionhandling apparatus having a removable solution container, a processingtray, a movable probe for hydraulically connecting and disconnecting thecontainer to and from the tray, and an interlock switch mechanisminterposed between the container and probe and responsive thereto forcontrolling connection of the power supply to the apparatus.

Another object of the invention is to provide an interlock switchmechanism for a photographic copying apparatus or the like that is ofsimple design and construction, thoroughly reliable and efficient inoperation, and economical to manufacture.

Objects and advantages other than those set forth above will be apparentfrom the following description when read in connection with theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a segmental side elevation view, partly in section, of asolution handling apparatus according to a preferred embodiment of theapparatus in which an interlock ice switch mechanism constructed inaccordance with the present invention is embodied and shown in anoperative position;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged perspective view of a part of the structure ofFIG. 1 with portions thereof sectioned;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1 showing the interlock switchmechanism in one of its inoperative positions;

FIG. 4 is a segmental view in section taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;and

FIG. 5 is a schematic wiring diagram partially in block diagram form fora photographic copying apparatus embodying the invention.

As shown in the drawings, a fixed bracket 6, seen dotted in FIGS. 1 and3, of a photographic copying apparatus or the like, not shown, supportsan annular member 8 rigidly secured thereto by any suitable means. Acylindrical probe 10 (see FIG. 2) formed of a solution corrosionresistant material is inserta-ble in annular member 8, and has a knob 12secured to one end thereof, and a tube 14 inserted in a bore 16 at itsopposite end. The probe 10 has a peripheral groove 18, and a radiallyextending opening 20 connecting the base of groove 18 to one end of bore16. The probe 10 further has annular recesses above and below groove 18for receiving 0 rings 22 to prevent axial leakage of solution out ofgroove 18. The probe 10 also has a radially extending pin 24 slidable ina slot 26 formed on the inner periphery of annular member 8. One of thesurfaces 28 forming slot 26 has an arcuate portion 30 having axiallyspaced recesses 32, 34. In the normal position of probe 10 when insertedinto the member 8, the pin 24 bottoms in recess 32. Upon rotation ofprobe 10 in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 2, the pin 24 slidesalong arcuate portion 30 and bottoms in recess 34. This action causesaxial movement of probe 10 moving groove 18 thereof into axial alignmentwith a rbadiglly extending solution output opening 36 in memer Asolution container or reservoir 38 of any normal type is provided havingan outlet opening 40 in the upper end thereof. The container 38 may bereadily removable from the apparatus after probe 10 has been removedfrom annular member 8. In its operative position, container 38 rests ona support 42 and has one end thereof in engagement with a stop flange44.

An interlock switch mechanism is interposed between probe 10 andcontainer 38. The switch mechanism comprises a substantially S-shapedbracket 46 pivotally mounted at one end on a pin 48 carried by a fixedportion 50 of the apparatus. Such fixed portion 50 may be the housing ofa photographic copying apparatus or the like, not shown. The bracket 46has a rib 52 along one edge thereof as best seen in FIG. 4 having adownwardly extending lip 54 at one end. A helical spring 56 encircleslip 54 and a fixed projection 58, seen dotted, extending from bracket 6.The spring 56 urges bracket 46 in a counterclockwise direction, causingrib 52 thereof to engage the underside of an annular shoulder 60 fixedto the periphery of probe 10, as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 3. A switch 62of any normal type is rigidly secured to the free end of bracket 46. Theswitch 62 has a pivotally mounted arm 64 with a roller 66 at one endthereof, and a slidable pin 68 movable by arm 64 for actuating anormally open switch contact 70, see FIG. 5, in a known manner.

In the operation of the preferred form of the invention, if probe 10 iseither removed from annular member 8 or positioned therein with its pin24 nesting in recess 32 as seen in FIG. 2, the S-shaped bracket will bein its inoperative position substantially as seen in FIG. 3 with switchcontact 70 of switch 62 in an open position.

Now, if container 38 is positioned in its operative position, and probe10 inserted in annular member 8 and manually rotated causing pin 24 toslide along arcuate surface 30 and bottom in recess 34, the shoulder 60,upon axial movement of the probe 10, will force bracket 46 in aclockwise direction against the bias of its spring 56 into its operativeposition shown in FIG. 1. This movement of bracket 46 urges roller 66into engagement with the end of container 38 causing roller 66 and arm64 to move in a counterclockwise direction, moving switch contact 70into its closed position. As seen in FIG. 5, this action would connectthe power supply to the apparatus so that it may operate in a known way,assuming the On-Off switch had been previously closed by the operator.However, if the operator has inadvertently failed to place a solutioncontainer 38 in the apparatus, the exposing mechanism, pump and sheetfeeding mechanism will not operate, even though probe 10 is moved intoits operating position, because no means will be provided to closeswitch contact 70. Also, if the operator replaces storage container 38but fails to move probe 10 into its operative position, see FIG. 3, theapparatus will not operate because switch contact 70 will remain open.Accordingly, it is clear that the apparatus will operate only if bothprobe 10 and container 38 are in their operative positions.

The invention has been described in detail with particular reference toa preferred embodiment thereof, but

it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effectedwithin the spirit and scope of the invention as described hereinaboveand as defined in the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In an apparatus having a tray, a solution reservoir removable fromsaid apparatus, and electric motor drive means for operating a portionof said apparatus, the combination comprising:

-(1) first means movable between a first position for hydraulicallyconnecting the contents of said reservoir to said tray and a secondposition for hydraulically disconnecting the two; and

(2) interlock means for disabling said electric motor drive means exceptwhen said first means is in said first position and said reservoir isproperly positioned in the apparatus, said interlock means including (a)a member movable from a normally inoperative position to an operativeposition in response to movement of said first means to its firstposition, and (b) electrical switch means controlling said electricmotor drive mean-s and movable to an operative position in response tomovement of said member to its operative position and in which operativeposition said switch means is actuated by the proper positioning of saidreservoir in the apparatus, to render said electric motor drive meansoperative.

2. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first means has ashoulder, and said interlock means comprises a spring and a bracketbiased by said spring into engagement with said shoulder.

3. The invention according to claim 1 wherein said first meanscom-prises an axially movable cylindrical probe having solution passagemeans, and an annular shoulder, and said interlock means comprises aspring and a pivotal bracket biased by said spring into engagement withsaid shoulder, said bracket further carrying said switch.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,666,384 1/1954Yutzy et al. 10l-131 3,145,275 8/1964 Gildart 200-61.41

ROBERT K. SCHAEFER, Primary Examiner. KATHLEEN H. CLAFFY, Examiner.

M. GINSBURG, Assistant Examiner.

1. IN AN APPARATUS HAVING A TRAY, A SOLUTION RESERVOIR REMOVABLE FROMSAID APPARATUS, AND ELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE MEANS FOR OPERATING A PORTIONOF SAID APPARATUS, THE COMBINATION COMPRISING: (1) FIRST MEANS MOVABLEBETWEEN A FIRST POSITION FOR HYDRAULICALLY CONNECTING THE CONTENTS OFSAID RESERVOIR TO SAID TRAY AND A SECOND POSITION FOR HYDRAULICALLYDISCONNECTING THE TWO; AND (2) INTERLOCK MEANS FOR DISABLING SAIDELECTRIC MOTOR DRIVE MEANS EXCEPT WHEN SAID FIRST MEANS IS IN SAID FIRSTPOSITION AND SAID RESERVOIR IS PROPERLY POSITIONED IN THE APPARATUS,SAID INTERLOCK MEANS INCLUDING (A) A MEMBER MOVABLE FROM A NORMALLYINOPERA-